The new season kicked off in warm conditions at Palmerston as we welcomed Kelty Hearts for our first league cup match in group A. There were several familiar faces in Nicky Clark’s line-up with a couple of trialists also in the side.

Twelve minutes in the first real chance of the game fell to the Gaffer when he got on the end of a ball in from the right but as he caught it on the volley, his right foot effort was high. Two minutes later, Niall Rogerson was in the centre of the field, 20-yards out when he collected a pass from Clark but his right foot shot was over too.

As Kelty looked to open the scoring, Lewis Moore miscued his shot at the edge of the area. The visitors were enjoying a decent spell and midway through the half, Ross Cunningham found the net with a great strike into the top corner.

However, Queens hit back and just three minutes later, they were back level when Clark steered the ball home from close range.

The visitors came close to restoring their lead when Callum Flatman got on the end of a free-kick but his header came back off the post. With five minutes of the first half remaining, Kurtis Guthrie hit a right foot shot from eight yards but Jamie Smith reacted well and blocked with his feet.

The trialist keeper that Queens had in goal was called upon when he tipped the ball over from Cunningham before he got down to save from Finlay Moffett to keep the score level at the interval.

Half Time: Queens 1 Kelty Hearts 1

After the break it was Queens who had the first chance when Jack Stott played the ball into the near post for Guthrie but his header was turned away by Smith.

Chances were limited but Clark did have the ball in the net just after the hour mark but the flag was up for offside.

Midway through the second half, substitute Kallum Higginbotham had a great opportunity when he was at the back-post but he could only head the ball along the line.

Back at the other end, Liam Smith did well down the right before he crossed into the area for Guthrie for a close range shot but it was easy for the keeper.

Queens number one then made a good save as Cunningham hit it on the turn.

The remainder of the game petered out and ended one all at full-time. Kelty went on to take the bonus point four – three on penalties.

Full Time: Queens 1 Kelty Hearts 1 (Kelty won 4-3 on penalties)